Civil Aviation Day
On September 30 Armenia honours its aviators, the pilots, controllers and engineers who connect a mountain country to the world and to its vast diaspora.
History & traditions
For Armenia, ringed by mountains and landlocked, aviation is no luxury but the chief bridge to the world. Through Yerevan's Zvartnots airport run the paths of millions of Armenians scattered across dozens of countries; the plane here is often the road home. Civil Aviation Day, marked on September 30, honours the pilots, controllers and engineers who keep this connection alive.
Five days along the Arax River through all of Syunik to Meghri — the southernmost point of Armenia. Pomegranate gardens, monasteries, hot springs.
The holiday matches in spirit the international civil aviation day and is celebrated at airlines, airports and training centres. On this day people recall the history of Armenian aviation, honour veteran pilots and meet those just learning the profession.
What to see
A three-day journey through southern Armenia. A night in Goris, visits to Khndzoresk and the cave churches. One of the country’s most striking routes.
- Zvartnots airport, the country's main air gateway.
- The old circular terminal building, a monument of Soviet modernism.
- Themed meetings and tributes at the airlines.
- The mountain views that open up on take-off over the Ararat valley.
When taking off from Yerevan, ask for a window seat: the view of Ararat's snowy cone above the valley is what makes many deliberately choose daytime flights.
An off-roader, driver-guides, and access to places an ordinary car can’t reach: Satani Kar (the natural bridge), the Vorotan gorge, hot springs.
What to bring
This day has few souvenirs, but the impression of flying over Ararat stays with you. As a keepsake you can take a model plane or a postcard of Zvartnots.
The holiday is celebrated all across Armenia — best to pick one city or village and spend the day there, immersed in the local atmosphere.
On a tour you also often need other services
We have other partner categories too — requests work the same. We forward them to several partners with availability at once.
Where to stay in mountains and cities
Family guesthouses, boutique hotels, glamping, cave suites. Across Armenia.
From airport or between regions
Fixed price, no meter. Econom, comfort, minivan or premium.
A car for a self-drive trip
SUV for Syunik mountains, sedan for highways, minivan for groups. Full tank, insurance.